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When I think of Miami I think of hot nights, fiery spirit and spicy romance. The wedding inspiration that Serendipity Studios and JCG Events put together captures all these elements and so much more. I love the literary theme that runs throughout, the incredible paper good design that recalls a vintage, old Havana vibe and colorful, mouth-watering local foods. Pass me a mojito because I plan on staying here awhile! Click here for more Miami chic inspiration!

We have even more spicy romance and a sneak peek into the set up of the day with this beautiful video by Serendipity Studios!

From JCG Events… Putting together this inspiration shoot was just like the wedding planning process, the concept kept evolving. We first brainstormed with Travis and Candice of Serendipity Studios and they knew immediately which location would be the perfect setting for the shoot -Grove Isle Hotel & Spa in Miami, FL. This wedding venue nestled in a small private island off of Miami has a tropical yet luxurious feel to it that immediately evokes ideas of an intimate romantic love affair.

Planning a wedding is essentially story telling and if we were going to tell a story with this shoot we needed to create the main characters. The details all came together once we had dreamt the couple in mind- Aryana Morena, Cuban American and Spencer Mills, author from New York City. This is how the “Chic Cuban Literary” inspired concept came to be.

Ashley of Smashing Cards custom designed the wedding invitations, menu cards, table numbers and bar menus to illustrate this theme. The invitation infused a vintage feel reminiscent of a Cuban cigar box with the elaborate border but incorporated modern font with a fresh and vibrant color combination-pink and orange. The invitation was wrapped in hot pink silk, which opened just like a book. To tie in Spencer Mill’s affinity for Ernest Hemingway’s work we paid tribute by providing the two drinks of choice for Hemingway- a mango mojito and a white diaquiri. Hemingway, while in Cuba, frequented a watering hole, La Bodeguita, where he famously wrote on the wall “Mi mojito en la Bodeguita.”

It was important that every detail was thought out and that was true even to the design of the menu. It was carefully prepared and designed by the executive chef at Grove Isle where he incorporated all local ingredients and infused a Latin Cuban flavor to the menu with a modern twist. The starter was a refreshing octopus and avocado salad topped with passion fruit caviar. The main course was a mouth watering braised short ribs prepared a la “ropa vieja” a well known cultural Cuban dish of shredded beef accompanied by a mashed yucca with bacon, red piquillo puree and micro cilantro. For dessert the couple opted to forgo a wedding cake for a delicious and decadent dessert display of Cuban bread pudding topped with caramelized bananas and guava and cream cheese ice cream.

Fleurish Design team and head designer, Jairo Barrios, immediately took to the concept and really took the shoot to the next level with all the natural elements they incorporated such as incorporating lemons to the arrangements and the sugarcane stalk detail at each place setting with a pink lotus flower. The flowers were an array of vibrant colors and hues that really popped against the wooden tabletop and natural linen. The natural wooden chairs complimented the table by adding a unique element with a vintage old Havana vibe. The boutonniere was a green succulent that had such a beautiful contrast to the Groom’s chocolate brown pinstriped suit. The bridal bouquet was comprised of mango cala lilies wrapped in natural twigs that created that textured and layering needed for this design. The favors were decorative wooden boxes from West Elm with a domino set inside.

The models we featured on the shoot are actually engaged and are set to wed in June in Puerto Rico! This shoot was the perfect practice run for them in terms of getting comfortable in front of the camera. They really helped the story come to life. Gina Dearing, one of the top Miami make-up artists had them camera ready for the shoot. The shoot came together so nicely thanks to all the efforts of such a wonderful team of vendors!